Inquiries into the Causes of our Miseries, Tract 1

Inquiries into the Causes of our Miseries · Tract 1

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REader, now that you have taken-up the book, Ile do my beſt, to cloſe with thee at the firſt, as one, not a little ambitious of thy favour: and therefore can be content to crave thine eye and eare both, thy beſt attention all along. Do not fear to afford me this favour; I crave it for Gods ſake; for His Cauſes ſake; for His ſervants ſake; for your ſake; the Lord knows, and not mine own; Doubting not to ſpeak all along, like a free man, and a true Subject; and not as one abuſing my liberty or my glory: But uſing it as a ſubject of the Lord Chriſt, to His glory, and the good of my Brother: Therefore I cannot doubt neither, That my words, I ſhall ſpeak, can need an Apology: And yet, that my words may have a good reliſh upon your pallate, and a ſweeter touch upon your eare, I will preface a little touching ſome matters firſt.

1 Touching my licence here, I have no Imprimatur, no licence to ſpeak. To which I could anſwer, Yes, that I have, for by the grace of God, Truth, and Reaſon, the old Licenſers of old, have licenced my words all along. And truly my ſpirit could never go forth with any other way of licenſing, or midwifring ſuch births as are books into the world; ſurely no better hand to officiate there, than what Truth and Reaſon affords me. And if ſo be our Conceptions and Births want either one or both, let the parent ſmart for his lye; and be faſt locked in Bedlom till he recover his wits again: And if he be Libellous, as too many are, let his own place the pillory inſtruct him to better manners. But if he hasblaſphemed God, or the King of Saints, lot him find neither friend nor enemy, but let him dye, if he has blaſphemed his God. Gods Law this, and mans Law that, carried all along through a ſeries of time, and never interrupted, nor reverſed, or made null till it came thorough the Inquiſition Court at Rome, whence we have our Imprimatur, Let this be printed. And then ſure enough it ſerved to promote the Doctrines, and practiſes of the Church there, which my ſoul abominates. It will be ſaid here, That I go a croſſe-way to an Ordinance of Parliament. Truly p. 2that ſtartles me not a little; the Lord knows, I look upon an Ordinance of Parliament as an Ordinance of God, not to be diſputed, but obeyed. I kiſſe the hand of Authoritie, and am readie to be called forth to its foot therefrom to be made Active or Paſſive: yet I cannot conceive, that I have gone a croſſe-way to that Ordinance for licenfing-books. I went, in obedience thereunto, craving a licence, though I think it my due, and ought to be given me: but could not obtain it. The truth is, If the Book bear Independent upon its front, and be thought to ſpeak for that way (which God Himſelf will cleer and juſtifie before all the world) it is ſilenced before it ſpeaks. And ſo is dealt more injuriouſly with, than have been the greateſt offenders in the world: for they have had leave to ſpeak for themſelves in all ages of the world upwards to as it is at this day. It is replyed, That writing for this way of Church Government does but hinder our courſe in the way of Reformation, making the Diviſions greater, and the Rent wider. I anſwer; If I were perſwaded ſo, I would rather put my hand in fire then unto paper. But I am perſwaded in my heart clean otherwiſe, and by the grace of God ſhall be able to make it appear in the ſequell all along. It is ſaid agen: Theſe are my thoughts; that this ſcrible will do no hurt, will not make the rent wider; my Judgement onelyonly. I anſwer, not mine onelyonly; I have asked adviſe about it, enquired ſeriouſly into the matter, and why ſhould I be aſhamed to ſay more: I have given up my judgement unto the Lord, and I have this anſwer from him, and aſſiſtance from his right hand, ſo guiding mine, That I ſhall, ſo I hope, and am confident, ſpeak nothing which ſhall diſhonour his holy, holy, holy, name; nor his cauſe, nor his people, the congregations of God. I have a ſober confidence, that I have licence from Gods hand, and ſhall keep cloſe to the word of his mouth, and therefore ſith I could not have a licence from man, I can be careleſſe of it.

That it may not be ſaid, I am aſhamed of my name, for indeed I am not, being it was a very good mans name (which yet I know cannot make the man the better) I have, for commanding reaſons affixed my name; though very unwilling to appear ſo openly, as I was moſt willing to do with a Licenced. But the want of it can be no ſhame to me: ſome little blame rather to him, who would not give it me; having no time to enquire into the papers, as ſome (too ſuperſtitiouſly perhaps, but their ſuperſtition teacheth) were wont to do, to enquire into a paper, which lay as low as their foot, before they would put their foot upon it with neglect; leſt the name of p. 3their God, or ſomething of God ſhould be there. Certainly the Name of God is here; and I will not doubt to ſay again, I have His Licence to print it.

But the great ſtop was becauſe this anſwering is like to cauſe anſwer upon anſwer. I anſwer. God knows that, and will turn all to good. I am a free man, and may take my liberty, not ſtanding charged as ſervants do, not to anſwer again. And indeed I cannot conceive what they can anſwer, unleſſe, as ſome did, who had ſpoke roughly enough, and being modeſtly reproved for being ſo rough, anſwered, as roughly; that, ſith their hand was in, they were reſolved to put it forth again as roughly as ever. As pleaſeth men let it be; but if I am honoured with any anſwer from a Doctor (for the other, that learned and excellent man, I hope his apprehenſions are more digeſted now, and he has repented of them, that they were indeed ſubitan, but for) the Doctor, I hope he will learn at length to reprove his Brother modeſtly and meekly, and then I ſhall accept his reproof with all thankfulneſſe; but if any roughneſſe appear as it hath to others, which I muſt rather expect, his reproof will do me no good; I ſhall ſleight it ſure, putting it to ſome privy ſhame, or open reproof. And ſo much touching licencing books, and my want in that particular. And ſo I come to that my ſoul does more deſire to give you ſatisfaction in according to the Scriptures of God; and to unfold your underſtanding. Firſt touching the true ſenſe and meaning of theſe words Dependent and Independent, as I find them legible and explained through the Doctrines and Converſations of thoſe men amongſt us, called by that name.

Briefly now, and as is beſt fitting this place. Dependent is a learing upon the Lord Chriſt, the onelyonly Beloved of the ſoul; upon His hand for ſtrength; upon His mouth for Direction. It is a ſettingup the Lord Chriſt as King; yea, it is the advancing of the Lord Chriſt in all His offices, King, Prophet, and Prieſt, to, in, and over His Church, the ſouls and ſpirits of men. It is a cleaving of the ſoul to Chriſt, a cloſing of the heart with Him, ſaying, Thou Lord art my Righteouſneſſe, and my ſtrength; and my wiſdome, and my glory, and my crown of rejoycing. This is to be Dependant, when our Lord Chriſt, who is All to the ſoul, has all its Dependence. And this is to give the Lord God His due, the glory of all His attributes, ſpecially theſe two, the glory of His power, and of His wiſdome: And to the Lord Chriſt King of Saints, His dues, the glory of all His offices, anointed of the Father King, Prophet, and Prieſt of His p. 4Church. And hence I iſſued my thoughts, and thus concluded, That the people (no matter whether many or few; poore or rich; learned or unlearned, Maſter or Diſciple, that the people) we call Independants are the moſt Dependent perſons in the world. This is the ſum, I ſhall return to this again. Now to the other word.

2 Independant; What is that? Ile tell you what it is in the judge…ent of, (they ſay) as good a Logician as is in England, now he is here, Ile name him for honour ſake, Doctor Adam Steuart, adding onelyonly this, the Lord adde to His Logick, that one thing neceſſiry, which one man cals Baptized Reaſon, He and we mean, ſanctified by the Word and prayer in the Holy Ghoſt: and then he will be good indeed; Pag. …8.This man ſaies (A) That Independent is a proud and abominable word, proper to God Almighty: B It is granted ſo to be, as He conſters the word, and in vulgar conſtruction alſo, as we ſilly men underſtand it too; that to be Independent, is to be as an Iſland cut off from other Land; to live as men turned-in-upon themſelves, regarding themſelves, bearing fruit to themſelves, (as an empty vine) to Nemini fructuoſa. Hoſ. 10. 1.Hos 10:1do as they liſt, ſpeak as they pleaſe, to hold out and maintain what Doctrines agree beſt with fleſh and blood; and to ſpread them abroad before Iſrael, and before the Sun, under the very look of the Magiſtrate; What has he to do with them? Be they Jews, or Gentiles; Turks, or Infidels; Atheiſts or Papiſts; be what they will be, as abominable as they are rendred to be, or as we can conceive them to be, why yet, it is their conſcience ſo to be, and what hath the Magiſtrate to do there, or with them? So Dr. Adam Steuart forceth matters againſt theſe men; and forceth his conſcience too, I verily think all along.

I ſhould have been fuller here. But, Reader, if this be true in whole or in part; if theſe men, we call Independents, be ſuch men in judgement and in practiſe, as they are ſuggeſted to be, then let the Civill Magiſtrate do with them, as K. Hez. with the Altars and high places, pluck them down; lay them even with the ground; leave them not while there is any one ſtanding; And as with the brazen Serpent, that King dealt with, grinde their faces, beat them as ſmall as the duſt, and then hold them up to the winde, throw them into the River, as the beſt Chriſtians were dealt with of old, that the enemy might take from them, as he could, all Hope of a better Reſurrection, let, I ſay, the Magiſtrate do as much to theſe men, for ſo much King H…zekiah did to the fore-mentioned Idols; And it is fullup to the mind and heart of Dr. A. Steuart, and ſo it follows in his p. 5Logick; and ſo he concludes againſt them ſeven times at leaſt, That theſe men are as contrary to the true Doctrine, Worſhip, and Diſcipine, as Altars and Idols were and now are. Ile ſpeake for theſe men, and though they neede not my Apology, yet I thinke my ſelfe charged ſo to doe; I have obſerved their converſations; I have heard their Doctrines almoſt theſe 16 yeares; I have read them, ſpecially of late; with all diligence; theſe, I mean, touching Church-Government: I ſhall ſpeake now in the Language of the three Tribes, as heartily as they did, being verily perſwaded, ſo theſe men would ſpeake to clear themſelves in theſe matters ſo forced againſt them. Joſhua 22. ver. 22. The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, Hee knoweth, and Iſrael be ſhall know, if it be in rebellion, or if in tranſgreſſion againſt the Lord, (ſave us not this day;) That we have ſpoken or done ought to turne from following the Lord; or if to offer to the Lord prayers of our own; or to the people, the Church of God, Doctrines of our own, Ordinances of our own, let the Lord Himſelfe require it: And let him, to whoſe hand, the Lord has committed the ſword, conſecrate the fame ſword on us, to the cutting of us off from the earth. So theſe ſervants of the Lord can ſay.

And Reader, be not deceived with vain words, but be perſwaded in thy heart, that theſe men ſo ſlandered, doe regard others as they ſtand charged by the word of God to regard them. They account thy ſoule, and mine more precious then is the whole world, and all the treaſures there, (for theſe may be valued but the ſoule cannot) And knowing the terrous of the Lord, they perſwade men to bee reconciled. They abominate thoſe in Doctrines and practiſes, al which turne away from following the Lord. **Deut. 13.Deut 13They know the Command of the Lord is in as full force and vertue now, as ever it was, let ſuch practiſers (intiſers rather) be cut off, that their mouthes neay be ſtopt. They admit not of any Toleration, neither that Jews nor Papiſts be tolerated in a Kingdome any ſurther then as means may be uſed, whereby to enlarge the bounds of their Lord Chriſts Kingdome, To bring them under the ſubjection of the Goſpel, ſo far to be tolerated, no farther; not as Jewes and Turkes are tolerated, for gaine of money; or as we tolerated Papiſts here, ſuffered them in the Land, & engaged our ſelves againſt all means for their converſion, that is abominable. But to ſuffer them amongſt us with a pure aime to the gaining of ſoules, and a ſingle eve to Gods Glory, this is tolerable ſure, for it is according to the will of God, that the bounds of his Sonnes Kingdome ſhould be enlarged, and all meanes uſed whereby to concince p. 6the ganeſayers, To Conquer the Rebellious; to make them obedient both in word and deede: And for this great conqueſt over the ſoules and ſpirits of men, the throwing down thoſe Reaſonings, the ſtrongholds there, for this mighty worke, the ſword of the Spirit, the word foreignof God is appointed and conſecrated for that very end by God himſelfe, ſo I ſay; nay, ſo the Lord God ſayes, and ſo ſay the Indepeaedents from his mouth.

A. But it is a proud and an abominable name, proper to God Almighty, ſayes the Doctor.

B. Proper to him indeede, to him alone, and yet not improperly given to a peculiar people, a Royall Prieſthood to be Independant upon man, Dependant upon the Lord Chriſt, leaning upon that beloved; the onelyonly ſtay and ſtaffe of His People.

A. The very name Independent renders them odious to all men, It overthrows all kinde of government, takes away the rights and priviledges of Aſſemblies, Councels, Sinods, takes from them their dues.

B. Noe, Theſe men give to men their dues. all and every whit to the leaſt ſcruple. They will raiſe men up to their proportioned heighth, no highter, for that were to doe unto men the greateſt injury that could be imagined; to raiſe up men above the Starres of God, is to throw them downe even to the ſides of the pit. To make men Lords over the conſciences of men, is to render them abominable to God and good men; and as Antichriſtians every whit, as are Arch-Biſhops and Biſhops. They will give unto men the power which God allows them, They will raiſe-men-up to their proper pegg, as high as befitteth the higheſt creatures upon earth, yet ſo as exalting ever more the high God their Creator, and the Lord Chriſt King of Saints. Theſe men will appeale alſo to men in point of Counſell and power both, ſo far as they will conſult with the Scriptures of God, with their Rule and Iudge there, both one: So Dependant they are even upon men. Independent in this ſence only, not bottoming themſelves, or their faith upon men: for that were to doe as a fooliſh builder who built his houſe upon the ſands: nor ſtating their determinations touching Church Government after the mindes and pleaſures of men, not as they ſay, and would have it; but as the Scriptures of God will have it, where they have their Rule.

A. But who ſhall be judge of that rule?

B. A ſtrange Queſtion; The Spirit of God there, for as was ſaid, He is the Rule and Judge both. And this ſeemes to come up cloſe to p. 7the good word of God which we read; And the reamnant of Iacob ſhall Micah. 5. 7.Mic 5:7be in the midſt of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the ſhowethe rs upon the graſſe, that tarrieth not for man, nor wayteth for the ſonnes of men. And thus, Sir, I have given you as plain and briefe * a Commentary on theſe It is more enlarged in my Anſwer to ſix Queſtions (24 will ſhrinke up 10 ſo few) which wayt a licence, but have loſt, nothing by wa…ting ſo long.two words, Dependent and Independent as poſſibly I could. And now if you will reckon me among the Independents, I ſhall account it no wrong, I ſhall not put it to the head of injuries. And (2) then account me in the number of ſuch evill doers, and Troublers; that I doe helpe with them, to open a floud-gate, &c. If or ſo they are ſuggeſted, to doe. Truly, (Sir) I muſt account this an honour: For fo they perſecuted (A leſſer matter then this, in fight, is regiſtred a perſecution, when it was as this is, againſt the beloved childe and faithfull ſervant of the Lord, who walked after the Spirit, ſo they that were after the fleſh perſecuted) the firſt Fathers, Patriarkes, Prophets and Apoſtles, all the Saints and Armies of Martyrs upward to, as it is at this day. Therefore as the ſaying is verbera, purſue your perſecutions (you doe it I know out of ignorance) ſedaudi, beware and conſider what you doe; and now harken while I ſhall endeavour to render you ſatisfied touching theſe two matters, eſpecially the ſecond.

(1) I am indeede an Independent in judgement, my ſoule goeth out with them in that way; with them, perſwaded in my ſoule, that their ayme is wholy to the ſetting up the Lord Chriſt, Him in all His Offices, in and over the Church, in the ſoules, and ſpirits of men. And that their eye is ſingle in all this, looking ſtrait-on to the Glory of the high God, and ſalvation of ſoules.

(2) And that Independencie is no more, nor any more intended by it, then purely to take themſelves and others off from their own bottomes, that all might be ſet upon the Foundation indeede, the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

(3) And all this ſo as they give the Rulers of the people, their ſtanding; firme, faſt, and unſhaken, like the perpetuall hills and everlaſting mountains, A faſt-ſtanding, I ſay, while the world ſtands in their full power, force, and vertue; for no Law or Ordinance have they againſt this the Rulers ſtanding, being the Ordinance of GOD appointed and decreed by Himſelfe.

(4) For that way of worſhip, and Church-government my judgement ſtands for, I am verily perſwaded it is the way of the New Teſtament; new if you will, but no more Novell than is that Teſtament.

p. 8(5) For their walking in that way, it is in ſuch order, with ſuch agreement, complying of Spirits, ſuch an eying and fixing upon the rule, what is decent and expedient, what ſerveth moſt aptly, tends moſt compendiouſly to promote the edification, the building-up of the Temple of Chriſt; That I have this perſwaſion, that they who have obſerved the way, and the brethrens walking in it, will ſpeake of it in the Apoſtles words; Joying and beholding your order and your ſtedfaſtneſſe Col. 2. 5.Col 2:5of your faith in Chriſt.

Truly, Sir, my judgement is, for that way of Government, Gods way, I am verily perſwaded; As, for mans way, Maſter or Diſcipline my judgement is not for it, further then as they walke in the way with a right foote; nor for their gathering of Churches further then as they doe it by the call of the word, ſo as man may not bee ſaid to doe it, but God rather by the call of His Spirit and word of His truth. Nor is my Judgement for mens ſcatternings in the way, though there will be ſcatterings there; Let thoſe ſcatterers be marked and rebuked ſharpely, for they ſhould walke exactly; All about them in ſight, cloathes, geſture; And all from without them in the eyes and eares of men, their words and actions, ſhould be vocall, all, as we ſay, ſpeaking forth holineſſe to the Lord; grace and edification to the hearers and beholders. But yet if men walke as men ſcattering their wayes, yet theſe their ſcatterings muſt not caſt a reproach upon the holineſſe of Gods way, after which my ſoule goeth forth. And yet my foote, my ſtanding I mean, is in the other way, whereof my thoughts have beene ever honourable as becommeth; So of my Miniſter alſo, one that feareth God above many; ſet over me in that way of Church Government, I reverence him heartily: I approve his care, and acknowledge his aymes and ends to be holy juſt and good; The glory of God, The eternall good of ſoules.

A. What, and yet your judgement for the other way? ſurely looke what way the judgement goes, your foote ſhould goe; where your heart can fixe, there your ſtanding ſhould be.

B. Truly it may be a truth in what you ſay, but I am not reſolved ſo: For, firſt, I ſtand not alone but together with a whole houſehold with me, in ſeverall relations to all theſe, as a Husband, a Father, a Maſter; And, truly, I dare not attribute ſo much to my judgement, or to a way, I think more excellent, as to fit looſe from my Reverend Paſtor: or remove my ſelfe and mine (for I cannot allow of a …ragling family, the head going one way, and the other part another way, I ſaid my ſelfe and mine) from under his care p. 9and charge, whom, I know the Lord has ſet to look, and ſee-over me and mine.

2 I ſtand ſtill in my ſpirit, reſolved there, that, ſeeing by a good providence, two parties have ſo eagerly claſhed together, and ſo charged themſelves, and before their God, to find out the way of God, both of them I hope, with pure aymes, and a ſingle eye, (I am at an agreement with my thoughts) That the good Lord will beatforth and make plain his own way; ſo as, what lay too looſe and ſcattering in the one way, ſhall be gathered-up and ſtrengthened: and what might be too high, and rough in the other way, may be taken down and made more levell, ſmooth and ſtrait for us to walk in; I mean, and I am full of hope ſo it will be, That there will be, by the good hand of God upon His ſervants, notwithſtanding their charging and recharging, a ſweet compliauce anon, an yeelding and bending each to others way, as neer as can be (keeping neer and cloſe to the Word) and as is becoming Brethren, holding the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: I ſtand ſtill in my ſpirit and full of hope, touching this matter, The meeting of both theſe wayes inone, the good and Holy way. Though truly, I cannot conceive wherein the Independants can yeeld one foot, or one hoof of a foot (for they muſt be daintie if not imperious in Gods matters) except in point of power; An high point that, where and in whom it muſt be ſtated: ſtate it where they will, (for I know they will ſtate it as neer as poſſibly they can look, to the mind, and will of their God, in his Scriptures:) But I would not have that, which the Scripture calls the keyes, intruſted in our hands, common people. For truly what ever we think we know, yet is it a point of knowledge too high for us, to know how to uſe them. Yet I could ſpeak much more in the commendations of us Laymen, then I can for the Clergie-men: for when we were at the worſt, we were better then our teachers, not half ſo brutiſh as they; ſound ſome of us, when our Miniſters were rotten moſt of them; ſound in the faith, when our Miniſters were abominably here…icall, touching the Lords Day, his worſhip and ſervice on that day. The Conſideration whereof, if ſad, and ſerious, and well laid to heart, may be of force ſufficient, to make the beſt Clergy-men in the Land, to walk ſoftly, ſorrowing under the ſence thereof after a godly ſort: more of this hereafter. Now this one thing more, I profeſſe heartily I can diſcerne nothing in this way of Church Governmen, which my vain heart (the Lord knows I am as far from judging anothers heart, as I am from knowing my own, p. 10yet know that I) can except againſt it, but that it is the way of wiſedome, too high for a fool; and that is my fooliſh exception. I were injurious to ſet down that I ſee not; or to conceal that I ſee with all mine eyes, no thing but Holineſſe all along this way, ſuch as ſtands diametrally croſſe to a mans own way; and therefore man ſtands ſo croſſe unto it, I mean my ſelf ſtill, or this ſelf where ever it is. It chargeth every man with his Brother, to be his keeper, Me, to wat…h over him; and him to watch over me. To bear each others burden; ſupply each others lack, that there be no lack to any member of the Body; An excellent way and muſt be taken, elſe the Body may ſwim now, and perhaps fink anon; It may be ſo bowed-down with preſſing wants, that, though It lives at preſent, yet may it famiſh in the houſe next day, or ſtarve in the ſtreets next night, if this care be not taken, as ſure enough it is not. But this care is taken, even over the Bodies, That there be no lack to them. The care over the ſoul exceeds, as that exceeds the Body. And ſo they ſtand charged in their care each over other: Oh this, and more there is, is an hard burden, this ſelf will not bring our ſhoulders to it: And yet we owe, in point of bearing each the others burden, ſo much as this, to our enemies Ox or Aſſe, even his, that hateth us; how much more to the ſoul of our Exod. 23. 4… 5.Exod 23:4brother? But I ſay, we fly-off from this duty; we ſtand naturally croſſe centered to it, all our way; for indeed there is to my diſcerning, nothing, but God in the way, with whom the heart would not cloſe; Whereas in the way we call Praesbyterian [As it has been ordered; underſtand me ſo, for as it is ordering, It will be Independent ſure; this being granted That a ſtrict Presbyterian is a True Independent: And a Rigid Presbyterian is as high as was a Lord Biſhop, and but a little below a Pope, In that way] there is much of man, to ſay no more, but too much of mans Inſtitution, with which the heart can cloſe but too well. And this confirmeth me, That the way we call Independent is the True way of Worſhip: Becauſe it is ſo ſpirituall, ſo croſſe to mans way and will-worſhip, as they do find it to be, who walk in it with a right foot; And this was the very Argument, whereby Luther confirmed himſelf, and all his friends touching the proſecution of a great cauſe, the Truth and Proſperity of the ſame; It is of God, ſaies he, and it ſhall proſper: Why proſper? or how proves he that? for it exalts the Lord: and depreſſeth man: It renders God All to His people; and mens devices, how ſpecious ſoever, of ſmall account, or nothing at all. And ſo much, Sir, to reſolve you, which way my judgement goes; and yet why I keep my ſtanding. I deſire p. 11now heartily to give you ſatisfaction in the ſecond place.

2 Touching that heavy charge againſt the Independents, That they open a flood-gate, &c. It is true, I read it here and there, under three and more mens hands; And if to accuſe be enough, theſe 3. men, not to name the fourth, have done enough, To ſtir-up the Inhabitants of the Land, to come-out againſt theſe their Brethren, as we ought now, every mothers child, to come-out againſt grievous woulves. Surely as theſe mens words are hard; ſo are their Deeds ungodly againſt their Brethren, the Meſſengers of the Churches, and the glory of Chriſt. They have ſet them forth as the Apoſtle ſaies, he and his companions in the Goſpel, were ſet-out, the laſt, men expoſed to the moſt open and extremeſt ſhame, and paine both, as it were appointed to death, by the teeth of the moſt Ravening Beaſts; the laſt upon the Theater to be made a gazing-ſtock there-on to Angels and Men. So it is now, for they have ſet-forth their Brethren, the laſt, as the moſt execrable and accurſed perſons, and accordingly to be dealt-with; ſitto be caſt-out and more, but Ile ſay no more, but this ſaid before They have ſet them forth the laſt, as it were appointed to Death: And the way of Independency, they make the people beleeve, It is as a gulfe, which receives all-I know not what to call that all, but they ſay, That all the filth or corruption of Manners and Doctrines emptieth it ſelf-in thither, into that gulfe, as into a Common-ſhoare. Theſe are hard and Devouring words; and if ſo be their Deeds are not ungodly, yet they have done enough by their words to ſtir-up all the Inhabitants of the Land to put-forth a rough-hand againſt them, who have lived at peace by them, and ſpake good things for them, before their God, touching their everlaſting peace. That I may not ſeem to render their words, harder then they are, and more devouring, we will hear what their tongues ſay in print (1) D. P. P. puts down ſix ſecundary Cauſes of our Plagues, the continuance of them; And the Independents he ranks them with the firſt of theſe ſix. The other [whom I need not name, being a man of ſuch Renowne, and name, (and for high Deſert I heartily acknowledge) that his name onelyonly has rendered his ſubitane Apprehenſions, in deed and truth ſuch, to ſeem good and ſolid Reaſons; and ſo to paſſe through the City, as having Truth and Reaſon in them: when as indeed and Truth, they have neither the one nor the other; but, as ſubitane Apprehenſions uſe to be, the weakeſt and ſleighteſt as ever came from ſo ſolid a man upon ſo weighty a buſineſſe as is Church Government, yet they take with the people] This man of Name, ſeemes to make a p. 12queſtion, and reſolved all the world That Independencie is a Seminary of Schifmes: A floud gate to let in an inundation, &c. So the Queriſt.

The third perſon, Doctor A Steward renders the Independents as abominable and pernicious both to Church and State, as are Altars and Orgon-pipes; Croſſes, and Crucifixes: Papiſts, and Atheiſts, yea Sodomites in Iſraels Land, as odious and pernicious as are theſe accurſed perſons and Things. There is the charge full-out, as Ponderous as man can render it, and it renders the Brethren as odious to the world as man can make them. I ſhould tell you here, how they have drawn-up to this concluſion, I mean, from what premiſes they have concluded, as we heard; But truly I finde a diverſion in my thoughts, and I muſt follow them, though I digreſſe a little, that ſo I may come to the viſions of God.

I am verily perſwaded, that theſe ſervants of the Lord, I meane theſe, who, or whereever they are, that walke in the way, exactly, preciſely, as they ought to walke, (I have nothing to ſay unto others,) doe ſee theſe viſions frequently now adayes, now that they heare ſuch devouring words, and might feare, but thar the feare of God over-rules in their hearts, the hand of violence put-forth againſt them, alſo, ungodly deeds; Now is the time for God to appear for them, and to ſay, I am your God: for ſo has been His manner in all perilous times, ſo to appear to and for His ſervants, as the Churches Chronicles doe tell us all along; but lie keepe to the Scriptures of God, and read backward there. Saint Paul heard devouring words, and felt ungodly deedes; his Adverſaries thruſt him iuto the priſon, there he lay-faſt, ſhut up, and in the darke, not a Cranny open to letin Light; Then was Gods time to appear. Then expect the viſions of God: And ſo it was; And behold a great light; The light of God ſhined-in upon him, and his fellow priſoner; Indeede the Lord reſerves the greateſt lights for the darkeſt roomes, Priſons and Dungeons; The ſtrongeſt Conſolations for the weakeſt hearts, when they are fainting; The ſweeteſt, the goodeſt words, The Lord ſpeakes alwayes to His people in their wilderneſſe. That hee does; and ſo wee will read on retrograde.

Saint Marke tells us a notable ſtory, I doe not remember the Chapter, but the matter I remember very well; That the Lord Chriſt had made a man every whit whole; Hee threw-out the devil who did trouble the mans Body, I thinke, his ſoule too; for ſhure He dealt with the man, after his manner, like a Tormemor. The Lord p. 13hath ſet His poore ſervant free from his Adverſary, that delights in proud wrath, And oh how faine would this ſervant, ſo delivered, have kept ſtill with the Lord Chriſt; but his Lord ſuffered not; but bid him goe to his houſe; then to the Synagogue, give glory to God; but doe not ſay what I have done for thee. The mans heart was full, his tongue muſt needes utter it; he exalts and maguifies the Name of the Lord. The Scribes and Phariſes could not endure it, ſo they excommunicated the poore man, they thruſt him out of their Synagogues. Then was the Lords time, They had caſt him-out, now the Lord receives him-in: He ſayes unto His poore Caſt-out (in effect) have men thruſt out a rough-hand againſh thee? Thou ſhalt bee at no loſſe by that, Ile take thee by the hand. Have they caſt thee out of their Synagogue? thou ſhalt not be diſmaid at that, but well apaid rather; Ile receive thee into my Boſome. To run-back in my thoughts through all the Old Teſtament even to the beginning, then Ile fix my thoughts upon Jacob; He ſaw much trouble in his dayes; And Three of his dayes exceeded, and were very perilous; But which is moſt remarkeable; Thoſe were the dayes, which his Lord God choſe to appear unto him in. The firſt day, when hee was leaving his Countrey; and his fathers houſe; bidding farewell, to all his comforts and contentments there, a deere Father, and an indulgent mother; when he muſt depart from all thoſe, and with a ſad heart doubtleſſe, Then behold the viſion of God; then God appears, God in Chriſt, **Gen 28. Jacob ſees, Ladder, heaven reaching down to e…th, and earth rea…hing up to heaven, all meeting together in on Ch…iſt. Gen. …1.Gen 28Gen 1then Jacob ſees God, and heares Him ſpeake good and comfortable words; I will be with thee, Jacob; where thou art I will be; A Father to thee, and a Mother both, as loving and tender over thee, as ſhee was; Ile be thy ſtay, and ſtaffe, bread ſhall be given thee, and thy water ſhall he ſure; Ile be thy God, Jacoh, Ile bee All: ſo as thou ſhalt ſay, having Me, thou haſt enough, and enough, God and All. Jacobs ſecond perilous day was, when he ſaw Labans countenance changed towards Him, not as before. If the countenance is changed, the heart is changed ſure; for the heart changeth firſt; and Jacob may expect ungodly deedes, doubtleſſe it was a perilous day with him. But then God appeares to Jacob; it Was Gods time, and he ſayes, Ile be with thee, And ſaying ſo much, He has ſaid All. Jacobs third time, that was perilous indeede, it exceeded all compariſon, for he was diſtreſſed on that day. Jacob is returning to His Countrey and he heares His brother Eſau is comming to meete him (a poore weake man with Gen. 32.Gen 32his feeble folke) and foure-hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and diſtreſſed, ſayes the Text: And then, on that very Day, p. 14the day of Jacobs trouble, His Lord appeareth; And not alone; He has His Angels with Him; Gods Hoſt; Nor is that all; Jacob ſhall have a double guard now, that he is diſtreſſed, Two Hoaſts for Eſau's one; And an Infinite ſtrength, above his brothers; his ſtrength is the ſtrength of men; Jacob has the ſtrength of Angels; the Hoſt of God; Nay Hoſts of Angels, Machanajim, two Hoſts; for then perils were doubled.

It is the Lords manner ſo to do, Bleſſed be his Name; When the ſound of Danger is lowdeſt in his ſervant eares; and their eyes can behold nothing but troubles, and fears round about; Then expect, ye ſervants of the Lord (ye that wait His Time, and attend His pleaſure) then expect to ſee viſions, and great ſalvations: the viſions and ſalvations of God: ſo it has been from the beginning of the world; and ſo it will be to the worlds end. And now I return where I break off, to that heavy-charge drawn-up againſt the Brethren. We muſt ſee whence they have concluded, from what premiſes, I mean, That their brethren muſt be cut aſunder, ſo one concludes; enſe recidendum: That they muſt be thruſt-out of the Kingdome, as the moſt abominable, and the moſt accurſed things ought to be; ſo the Doctor concludes: from their own premiſes all along, which their own hearts ſuggeſted. But without their leaves, we will examine how their concluſion follows, from my premiſes, which I have taken from the Scriptures of God. And ſo I will recall the premiſes, and then the charge, theſe 3 men have drawn-up from the premiſes, which are ſummarily theſe. The ſervants of the Lord do Advance their Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as ſole Lord over His Church; They depend upon Him; He is their Righteouſneſſe, their Strength, their Councellor in whom they glory. There is their great Dependance, Thereon they Reſt, and are ſtill; Be men mad with rage; and the earth never ſo unquiet, they are a quiet habitation ſtill; for They know whom they have Truſted: Where their great Dependance is, for all Church and State matters, even upon the Lord God Almighty. Dependent they are too upon men, though they put no great truſt there: neither ſtay nor ſtaffe, God knows, yet dependent upon man, for his advice, and counſell: And accountable for their actions unto men alſo, who ſhall, in the name of Chriſt, require an account of them, or of their repentance, and faith towards God. They will Appeal to men alſo, (that is the great queſtion) ſo be they will Appeal to the Scriptures (thereunto is their great Appeal) to the Rule and Judge there. So Dependent theſe men are, whom we call (I would we had a fitter p. 15name, ſith it is ſo ill underſtood, and conſtrued: but ſure we have not a fitter name then) Independant, for herein they are content and deſire rather to be accounted, and called by that name, becauſe they have concluded from their Lords own mouth, and from the practiſe of His Diſciples in the beſt times purely primative, That every particular Congregation hath from Chriſt abſolute power, to exerciſe of and in it ſelfe, every Ordinance of God. No Dependencie in Government, or direction in worſhip, from any other than from Chriſt their Lord and Law-giver, made unto His Church their wiſdome, their righteouſneſſe, their Juſtification, and their Glory: (Sir) There are the premiſes, Now marke what theſe three men infer, how they draw-up rheir charge from hence. (1) Ergo, Theſe Independents are the prime and chiefe cauſes of our plagues and miſeries, ſayes the firſt ſcribe. (2) Ergo, Theſe Independents, are the Seminary of, &c. and open a floud-gate to all &c. ſaith the Lawyer this once, and I thinke never but this once, cleane beſides the caſe, doubtleſſe God has forgiven him, ſo have his good brethren too, (3) Ergo, Thoſe Independents are as abominable, as were Altars, High-places, the Brazen ſerpent, when made an Idol; ſo abominable are theſe men, and to be dealt with by the Rulers hands, as thoſe Dunghill gods were dealt withall, when they were throwne-out as an abomination, and accurſed things; ſo theſe men ſhould be dealt withall, ſayes the Doctor, and ſo concludes. And yet has ſet downe no premiſes taken out of the Word of God, whence he concludes ſo, though by his concluſion he has rendred the brethren the moſt odious men and abominable, that are in the world, the cauſes of all the miſeries and diſtractions here. Well, let him go on: ſo will I; and by the grace of Almighty God, I will conteſt againſt this concluſion with all the power God will be pleaſed to vouchſafe unto me: And though I ſhall conclude nothing, yet I ſhall make ſuch inqairies into our miſeries, the cauſes thereof, as that theſe inquiries onelyonly ſhall ſerve to make a full diſcovery to all the world, touching thoſe matters; and with the ſame labour I ſhall render the Independents and the way of worſhip (I have not called it their way or mans way,) as white from thoſe blacks caſt upon them, and the way, as is the cloath that hath gone through ſeven la…ers; I ſhall have free leave for this ſure, a licence I meane to enquire what may be the cauſe of our woes, and ſighes, That every one may put it to queſtion in his own heart; ſet-up the Inquiſition court there, and ſo reſolve the Queſtion. But this is the ſubject matter of the Third Section.

p. 16Here Sir I have given forth the premiſes, touching the Independents and their Doctrines, as the good word of God gives-themforth to me; and I have ſet down the Concluſion, which three men, one after another, as if all had one and the ſame Spirit, have drawn from premiſes of their own, deducible neither from Scripture, nor from Reaſon. no, nor from ſenſe neither, unleſſe their own, and that darkened with prejudice all along. Surely the man, that has ſo much Logick, ſhould not have ſo done, (I ſuppoſe the other two, have as my ſelfe, and other men have, very little, or none, at all in compariſon with him,) But he ſhould not have ſo concluded againſt his brethren, That they are as plagues and peſts, in Judah Land, even as were Altars, High-places, the vileſt Idols there; And yet has ſet downe no premiſes, and ſo forth, as aforeſaid. It is replyed.

A That the two brethren plead for a Toleration; And that pleading carries more danger in it to Church and State, than does the pleading for the Service-Booke, Arch-Biſhops, and Biſhops, Altars, and Organs, Croſſes and Crucifixes, that theſe may ſtand in their full force power and vertue. And from hence the Doctor has ſo concluded, againſt his Brethren, for the caſting-of them all forth.

B. I Anſwer and grant, That the two Brethren doe plead for a Toleration, not of all Religions ſure, no, nor of any, which withdraws from God; ſurely no ſober man can plead for ſuch a Religion. They plead for a Toleration of that Religion or way of worſhip, which they are perſwaded in their ſoule, drawes-neereſt to God; And for Toleration of theſe men amongſt us, who have ever lived peaceably with us, have ſpoken good things for us before the Throne of God, whoſe Doctrines have come-up fully to the good word of God, and their converſation alſo as becommeth the Goſpel. Now God forbid, that any rough-hand ſhould be put-forth againſt theſe men, Yea, God forgive our hard words and unchriſtian thoughts that way.

A. But ſurely, many, whom we call, and they call themſelves, Independent, do think themſelves exempt from all Laws, except that law, which rules in their members: And think, as the Nimrods and Giants of the world do think, themſelves accountable for their Actions to none but God.

B. It were well, if they could bethink themſelves ſeriouſly, That they are accountable to God: but ſo they do not think; But this I know, That many walk diſorderly, looſe from their God; the Goſpel; and way of His worſhip. But if there be any, who underſtand Independency ſo, let them be as odious, and abominable in mans p. 17eye, as the Giants and Nimrods of the world, (mightie hunters before the Lord) are in Gods eye: and let all men come out againſt them, as they ſhould do againſt ſuch mighty oppreſſors; To thruſt them out of the Land. Now let us hear alſo what is commonly ſaid.

A. That more have fallen off from that way, we call Independent, walking their own way, following their own fancies, than from the other way of Church Government. We know not how many have gone-out from us, unto them, been received there, and then have turned away from them again, unto abominable wayes of errors, not to be remembred here. I anſwer.

B. This may be, and yet the way good and Holy; yea an Argument all this, of the goodneſſe and Holineſſe of the way, becauſe ſo many have turned to it, and then quickly away from it. They wentout from us, but they were not of us, ſaies the Apoſtle: And lightly come, lightly gone, ſaies the Proverbe. Theſe entred upon the way without due conſideration, upon very light motions; before they weighed and pondered their own way, or the way they were entring upon. And ſo they are like a ſhip without balas; or as a cloud without rain, carried about, &c. Here now, if my advice were worth acceptance, it ſhould be this, to the Maſters of the Aſſemblies; That they would be as daintie in their choice of Members, as Paul would have Timothy to be in laying on his hand, which we call ordination. Let it appear, that the Word and Spirit gathers members into a Church fellowſhip, and not the call of men: Which will appear, if enquiry be made firſt, whether they have counted their coſt. That is a great inquiry. And whether their fellowſhip is with the Father and the Son; and are reſolved to maintain the ſame fellowſhip in that Church-Communion, they are now entring upon, taking cure and charge one over another, as before ſaid, ſuch as is comely for a communion of Saints? If they can in ſincerity and truth of heart make clear anſwers thereunto, that they have no low Aymes; nor baſe ends moving them to come-over to the vvay: but onelyonly the glory of God, and their more comfortable vvalking ſtill ſearching the Scripture: and vvalking humbly vvith their God: Surely if ſo, there will be be no fear of falling-off; but fully aſſured vve may be they vvill vvalk-on ſtrait forward, and hold-on to the end. They are the light, inconſiderate, unſavourie, unballaſed Chriſtians, ſuch as never count their coſt, that are the ſickle men; vvho vvould ſeeme to be ſome bodies vvhen indeed they are Nothings:: and yet vvould be accounted Independent men, taken off from themſelves, and the vvorld, p. 18and from every bottome there; founded and rooted in Chriſt, vvholly Dependent upon Him, the Rock of Ages: And yet vvalk as vvithout God in the preſent World; as they have the men of the World for an example, quite looſe from God and good-men. Oh! this is Abominable; and vvill be bitterneſſe at the laſt. To ſhut-up this; They that are received into Church Communion ſhould be men fearing God, and hating covetouſneſſe, who walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit: Men, that can hear, and read, and ſing, and pray, and all in the Spirit: Men that walk with God, filled with the Holy Ghoſt: And theſe will ſerve to make Church officers too. It vvill be ſaid again.

A. But vvhy do I make ſo large exceptions againſt the Doctors book? I vvas not provoked.

B. Not provoked! Indeed I vvas, and ſo I think is every good man; To ſee ſuch a—I cannot tell what to call it, Charge is too ſoft a vvord, drawn-up againſt the Brethren, upon the front of his book, and in the face of the World. Surely, if I had ſeen ſuch—an Indictment againſt the Presbyterians, I ſhould have ſaid as much againſt it and as heartily. And I perſwade my ſelf, they do vviſh, That the Doctors book, and ſuch like, had never ſeen the Sun: or, coming abroad, had been dealt with, as their Authors would have their brethren done unto, thrown into the fire to be purged there. And truly if my book be ſo accounted of by any ſober Chriſtian, as a troubler of the Churches peace, let it go with its fellows, ſuch troublers, and let me be thruſt-out after it. But the Dr. Himſelf does not account me a troubler, a flatterer he ſaies I am. I muſt reply to this firſt.

If I would flatter, and had skill that way, as truly I have none, but if I had, I would not flatter the Brethren, we call Independents; men ſet forth the laſt, as aforeſaid; I would not flatter them; In the eye of the world, I ſay of the world, I am better than they, and better accounted of then they. But yet we will hear how the Dr. chargeth all thoſe, that ſpeak for the Independents or the way of Government, thus he ſaies, or to this purpoſe; That the men, who treat on their ſide, do beſpeak them, and the people with high ſtrains of Rhetorique and large laudatives concerning them: And for his part, he has been a little too free that way, and he craves pardon, Let him have it, for his tongue in print may aſſure us, and all the world, that, if he hath given his Brethren their dues, which he owoth to every man, ſweet and fair language, he will retract now, and p. 19do ſo no more, But to quit my ſelf of that my ſoul abhors, baſe flatteries, giving that to men, which I know they deſerve not, This I will ſay, and not crave pardon for my expreſſion, The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, He knows, That my heart and ſoul has gone-out with my words all along. I have not ſtrained my conſcience in any word I have ſpoken touching our Brethren, and their way; It is a beautifull way in my eye, and they have walked with a right-foot in that way, ſor ought I can diſcern, or can ken to the contrary. One or more of that ſide or way, may have ſpoken improperly enough, as the Dr. argueth their words, he heard from them in the pulpit. Very likely all that. Alas! Men may walk as men; And it is far from me to commend mans way: It is Gods way I contend for; man may ſpeak alſo (it is not proper to ſay, he may, but he does) not alwayes as the oracle of God. He is a perfect man, ſaith S. James, and I beleeve He knew none ſuch in the world, that trips not in his tongue, and foot alſo, who was not an offender in a word, yes, and in deed too.

The Nations are but as a drop of the bucket, and the Iſles as the ſmall duſt of the ballance, in compariſon with the great God; How ſmall and light a thinſt then is hee, we call man? Surely ſurely when we way him, we muſt give him his full allowance, for he is many graines too light: And yet I muſt not call him R…c…: a foole, a Mat. 5. 22. foreign Vacuus in mis.Matt 5:22light and empty fellow; If I call my brother ſo, I am in danger of a Councel; the Synod may talke with me for it. and it is fit they ſhould, I abominate jeering or ſcoffing, or any lightnes at all; If any for the Independent way are faulty therein, they are cleane out of the way of God, and good men; and far from the end they ſeeme to propoſe, the perſwading with, and reducing their brother into the way of holineſſe. And hee who is bitter, is far-out too. And now I feele my ſelfe plucked by the eare. I have heard it argued againſt me more than once, That I blame Mr. Ed: bitter language, when mine is more bitter. Is it ſo? let me be blamed for that, and I aske him pardon too. But I proteſt now before the Lord and his people, That though I have beene accuſed, yet I was never ſhown the words, which might argue this bitterneſſe charged upon my Spirit; If ſuch they are in any corner of my booke, which can bear ſuch a conſtruction, they ſlipt from me before I was aware, yet I will own them, if there they be, as my own, the fruit of my own Spirit, and reprove my ſelfe and my words more than another neede to doe; yea, and abominate ſuch p. 20words alſo, all and every one, which have ſuch an Aſpect upon my brother, but I ſay again, and I ſay truly, I have not yet found any ſuch word in my booke: but I can too eaſily over-looke my own words or actions, as an unfit Judge in ſuch matters. Yet let me tell you what I ought to doe, and what I would doe, ſo I ſhall the better argue againſt my three brethren hereaſter. That if I were to ſpeake to Turker or Jewes; Atheiſts or Papiſts; the moſt untoward and rougheſt men in the world, yet I would render my words as ſmooth as oyle, and as ſ…ft as Butter, that the men I ſpeake unto might know in their hearts, and be perſwaded in their ſoules, that I have no war againſt them in my heart; no, but that I keowing the terrour of the Lord, doe ſeeke their peace, their ſoules peace; that I would perfwade with them for their everlaſting good: And by this means J would hope to make my words keene in the hearts of our Lords, and His Chriſts chiefeſt enemies; and if J had a word from the Lord, by the grace of God, that J would fet-on with all my might, but with the ſpirit of meekneſſe. We have an excellent patterne for this; To ſpeak ſo to my Brother, as that my Brother may perceive that I would do… him good with all my Heart and all my ſoule: For ſo the high God, the great Lord of heaven and earth, Even ſo he ſpeaketh to his poore ſervants; I will doe you good (ſayes He) with My whole heart and My wh…le ſoule. Oh the goodneſſe of God! His kindeneſſe to his creatures, ſo he treates with men! O! bleſſed be His name. Have theſe three ſervauts of the Lord imitated their Maſter? I ſhould not put it to Queſtion, for paſt all Queſtion they have done cleane contrary. What the good King ſaid in the Anguiſh of his Spirit, the ſame theſe men have ſaid in the tartneſſe frowardneſſe, eagerneſſe Iſa 38.Isa 38of their own foreign bitterneſſe bitterneſſe, bitterneſſe in their tongues, and that could not be but when there is more in the heart, aboundance of bitterneſſe there; whence it is that their pens have beene dipped in vinigar and ſteeped as in gall: bitterneſſe, bitterneſſe, as if they intended not, as ſure they did not, to informe their brethren, and recall them from error, if in any they are, but to inbitter their ſpirits, and give them a bill from their hands, in full aſſurance, that they will endeavour, without the grace of God, to diſcover and lay open their brethrens nakedneſſe to all the world, with their whole heart, and with their whole ſoule. Is this to imitate the Lord God Father of mercies, God of, all Conſolations? To put this out of queſtion ile ſay this more, that there is not a man, on this ſide our narrow ſeas, p. 21whoſe hand has appeared for the Presbyterian way of Church Government, not one man (except that excellent man Mr. Herle, it were a notable indignity offered unto him, not to except him) that has not bent the ſame hand againſt his brethren, making his words ſharp as arrows ſhot-out againſt their very faces; I had almoſt ſaid, and hearts too, ſo giving all the vvorld to knovv (I ſpeak my jealouſie at leaſt) that their paſſions are ſtrong, but their cauſe is weak. But this I know; That we have not ſo learnt the Lord Chriſt; This is not after our Lords manner, nor after the Cuſtomes of the Churches of God. I have ſaid vvhat I have to ſay touching this filthy and putred matter, vvhichwhich like a box of the vileſt and impureſt oyntment, is ſuffered to run abroad through Church and State to fill the houſe there vvith its filthy ſavour. Ile cloſe this box vvith this ſtopple, it may be of uſe to ſtop the mouth againſt devouring words; Such kind of vvritings or Reaſonings, ſavouring ſo ſtrong of fleſh and blood, vvill never do the world good, to make them knovv they lie in evill; Nor the cauſe good, mightie Adverſaries thereunto; nor the Church good, To make them knovv their ſins, and confeſſe their errors; never do the State or Church good this vvay, vvhile the world ſtands, unleſſe by accident, as the Logicians ſay (i e) by the wiſe diſpoſing, and gracious ordering of an Almighty hand: ſo they ſhall do all good; But not per ſe, as vve ſay, not by their own naturall working, vvhile the world ſtands. And when the vvorld muſt fall to peeces, and the Things there crumbled all to nothings; and the perſons there muſt render an account of all they have ſaid, and done, then theſe kind of writings will be bitterneſſe, bitterneſſe. Their Authors ſhall taſte, if they repent not, of their own Gall, and wormwood, there, vvhichwhich they themſelves have put-in: and it ſhall be their drink, and portion for ever. Then the tongue, which was ſeton fire of hell, and repented not, ſhall have Hell and fire long enough, as long as eternitie is long, for ever and ever.

It is a ſad period, I will not put Amen to it: my ſoule deprecates, praies againſt this end. But Ile pray in prayer, if I could in prayer I would pray; Lord give the brethren all foure, (I might ſay foureſcore, here, and there, and every where, give them Lord, repentance for all their hard words and ungodly deedes againſt the brethren, the faithfull ſervants of the Lord, Amen: make them Lord as all the Tribes ſhall be, all one, as one ſtick in Thy hand, to beate away the doggs and ſwine: All as one aſſembly of Saints, built-up as a Ciey that is p. 22compacted together; or as a houſe founded upon the Rock of Ages, faſt and ſure for ever, notwithſtanding, the fierce windes, great rains, and water-flouds; for this Rock is our Rock: He will be our guide, even unto the death. 1 Pet. 3. 8, 9. Finally be ye all of one minde, having compaſſion one of another, be as brethren, be pitifull be courteous: Not rendring, evill for evill, or rayling for rayling: but contrarywiſe bleſſing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that you ſhould inherit a bleſſing.

FINIS.

End of the text · Hezekiah Woodward, Inquiries into the Causes of our Miseries (1644)